Interdigitated aluminium and titanium sensors for assessing epithelial barrier functionality by electric cell-substrate impedance spectroscopy (ECIS)

Electric cell-substrate impedance spectroscopy (ECIS) enables non-invasive and continuous read-out of electrical parameters of living tissue. The aim of the current study was to investigate the performance of interdigitated sensors with 50 μm electrode width and 50 μm inter-electrode distance made of gold, aluminium, and titanium for monitoring the barrier properties of epithelial cells in tissue culture. At first, the measurement performance of the photolithographic fabricated sensors was characterized by defined reference electrolytes. The sensors were used to monitor the electrical properties of two adherent epithelial barrier tissue models: renal proximal tubular LLC-PK1 cells, representing a normal functional transporting epithelium, and human cervical cancer-derived HeLa cells, forming non-transporting cancerous epithelial tissue. Then, the impedance spectra obtained were analysed by numerically fitting the parameters of the two different models to the measured impedance spectrum. Aluminium sensors proved to be as sensitive and consistent in repeated online-recordings for continuous cell growth and differentiation monitoring assensors made of gold, the standard electrode material. Titanium electrodes exhibited an elevated intrinsic ohmic resistance incomparison to gold reflecting its lower electric conductivity. Analysis of impedance spectra through applying models and numerical data fitting enabled the detailed investigation of the development and properties of a functional transporting epithelial tissue using either gold or aluminium sensors. The result of the data obtained, supports the consideration of aluminium and titanium sensor materials as potential alternatives to gold sensors for advanced application of ECIS spectroscopy

Farmland biodiversity and agricultural management on 237 farms in 13 European and two African regions

Farmland is a major land cover type in Europe and Africa and provides habitat for numerous species. The severe decline in farmland biodiversity of the last decades has been attributed to changes in farming practices, and organic and low-input farming are assumed to mitigate detrimental effects of agricultural intensification on biodiversity. Since the farm enterprise is the primary unit of agricultural decision making, management-related effects at the field scale need to be assessed at the farm level. Therefore, in this study, data were collected on habitat characteristics, vascular plant, earthworm, spider, and bee communities and on the corresponding agricultural management in 237 farms in 13 European and two African regions. In 15 environmental and agricultural homogeneous regions, 6–20 farms with the same farm type (e.g., arable crops, grassland, or specific permanent crops) were selected. If available, an equal number of organic and non-organic farms were randomly selected. Alternatively, farms were sampled along a gradient of management intensity. For all selected farms, the entire farmed area was mapped, which resulted in total in the mapping of 11 338 units attributed to 194 standardized habitat types, provided together with additional descriptors. On each farm, one site per available habitat type was randomly selected for species diversity investigations. Species were sampled on 2115 sites and identified to the species level by expert taxonomists. Species lists and abundance estimates are provided for each site and sampling date (one date for plants and earthworms, three dates for spiders and bees). In addition, farmers provided information about their management practices in face-to-face interviews following a standardized questionnaire. Farm management indicators for each farm are available (e.g., nitrogen input, pesticide applications, or energy input). Analyses revealed a positive effect of unproductive areas and a negative effect of intensive management on biodiversity. Communities of the four taxonomic groups strongly differed in their response to habitat characteristics, agricultural management, and regional circumstances. The data has potential for further insights into interactions of farmland biodiversity and agricultural management at site, farm, and regional scale

Plan de marketing estratégico para el Instituto Superior Tecnológico "Los Andes" en la ciudad de Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 20

Esta investigación fue aplicada en el Instituto Superior Tecnológico “Los Andes”, de educación superior privada, ubicada en la ciudad de Santo Domingo. Con este estudio se pretendía proponer a la organización la adopción de un plan de marketing estratégico en el que se busque generar mayores ventas, aumentar las utilidades y aumentar su posicionamiento. Teniendo como objetivo principal desarrollar un plan de Marketing estratégico para el Instituto Superior Tecnológico "Los Andes" en la ciudad de Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 2022. Con una metodología de enfoque mixto pues permitirá conocer los aspectos tanto cualitativo y cuantitativo, de carácter documental y de observación directa con instrumentos de encuestas y entrevista. Mediante un diseño de investigación destinada a abocar el mercado mediante estrategias para afianzar beneficios. Así mismo se conoce que la población oscila en 417 alumnos donde se determinó una muestra de 201 estudiantes. Lo que permitió obtener que el resultado más relevante se evidencia que la mayoría de los estudiantes concuerdan que en su verso académico existe variedad importante y una dualidad relevante para los mismos en cuanto a la dualidad entre la práctica y la teoría en la práctica docente. Concluyendo que el estudio interno y externo llevado a cabo en el proceso del proyecto de marketing permitió saber cómo está la organización académica hasta esta época dentro del mercado, que es lo cual tienen y cómo se diferencia frente a su competencia; siendo estas los instrumentos que se usaron para realizar el proyecto de marketing